BACK LINE

10. Easton Wood

Age: 32. Games: 187. Goals: 20. Finals: 12.

The 2016 premiership captain has been limited to 14 games this season by quadriceps, hamstring and ankle injuries but has found fitness and form.

42. Alex Keath

Age: 29. Games: 70. Goals: 2. Finals: 3.

Key defender was under a cloud but returns for his first match in three weeks after missing the preliminary final with a hamstring injury.

15. Taylor Duryea

Age: 30. Games: 159. Goals: 24. Finals: 15.

Two-time premiership Hawk gets a shot at a third medal after playing a celebrated role in helping the Bulldogs advance in September.

HALF-BACK LINE

35. Caleb Daniel

Age: 25. Games: 133. Goals: 37. Finals: 9.

The smart ball user off half-back is a crucial part of the Bulldogs' plans to break through Melbourne's well-structured defensive system. Elite foot skills.

12. Zaine Cordy

Age: 24. Games: 103. Goals: 10. Finals: 7.

Not an automatic selection, the 2016 premiership defender has nevertheless been a valuable contributor in 18 matches this season.

31. Bailey Dale

Age: 25. Games: 84. Goals: 69. Finals: 4.

A surprise move to half-back during the pre-season paid huge dividends as Dale quickly became a key contributor, earning himself a first All Australian blazer this year.

CENTRE LINE

6. Bailey Smith

Age: 20. Games: 66. Goals: 34. Finals: 5.

The young social media superstar was already a Bulldogs fan favourite and has now become a genuine match-winner in his third season. Looms as a huge threat.

21. Tom Liberatore

Age: 29. Games: 172. Goals: 64. Finals: 8.

Cult hero has put injury woes behind him to play almost every game this year. One to watch around the stoppages.

7. Lachie Hunter

Age: 26. Games: 162. Goals: 70. Finals: 10.

Made headlines for the wrong reasons off-field last year but has kept his head down in 2021, playing all but one game.

HALF-FORWARD LINE

19. Cody Weightman

Age: 20. Games: 18. Goals: 29. Finals: 2.

The livewire forward returns after missing the preliminary final through concussion. Has had a breakout season, kicking 26 goals in 15 games, and is known for taking spectacular high marks.

33.. Aaron Naughton

Age: 21. Games: 77. Goals: 95. Finals: 5.

Drafted as a defender, now the most important key forward in the Dogs' flag quest. Second behind injured fellow tall Josh Bruce on the club's goal-kicking leaderboard.

1. Adam Treloar

Age: 28. Games: 189. Goals: 107. Finals: 11.

Star recruit silenced the critics when he bounced back from a quiet semi-final with a strong display against Port Adelaide.

FORWARD LINE

39. Jason Johannisen

Age: 28. Games: 167. Goals: 61. Finals: 9.

The 2016 Norm Smith Medal winner in the Dogs' last flag cemented his spot in this year's grand final side with a strong preliminary final showing.

44. Tim English

Age: 24. Games: 68. Goals: 36. Finals: 5.

Will spend most of his time as a tall target in a forward line but also combine with Stefan Martin in an attempt to combat the threat of Demons star Max Gawn.

29. Mitch Hannan

Age: 27. Games: 66. Goals: 69. Finals: 6.

Let go by Melbourne in exchange for a future third-round selection in last year's trade period, now comes up against his old side.

FOLLOWERS

12. Stefan Martin

Age: 34. Games: 198. Goals: 47. Finals: 5.

Huge role to play against his former apprentice Max Gawn. Despite multiple injury setbacks this season, Martin gets a flag shot in his first year with the Dogs.

11. Jack Macrae

Age: 27. Games: 184. Goals: 43. Finals: 10.

Prolific midfielder broke the all-time record for disposals in a season this year and was rewarded with a third consecutive All Australian selection.

4. Marcus Bontempelli

Age: 25. Games: 170. Goals: 154. Finals: 10.

Second-year captain captain finished runner-up in the Brownlow Medal and is primed to cement himself as a club legend in the mould of Charlie Sutton by leading the Bulldogs to a premiership.

INTERCHANGE

37. Roarke Smith

Age: 25. Games: 36. Goals: 8. Finals: 4.

A story of persistence and self-belief, has been on seven successive rookie contracts and twice required a knee reconstruction.

13. Josh Schache

Age: 24. Games: 64. Goals: 73. Finals: 4.

Versatile tall has made the most of injured teammate Josh Bruce's absence to hold a spot in the side in the back-end of the season.

5. Josh Dunkley

Age: 24. Games: 92. Goals: 47. Finals: 9.

Requested a trade last year in search of more midfield minutes but remained at Whitten Oval and has been an important cog.

34. Bailey Williams

Age: 23. Games: 81. Goals: 11. Finals: 4.

Missed a month after surgery on a broken collarbone in April but reclaimed his regular place in the defensive rotation.

EMERGENCIES

43. Ryan Gardner

Age: 24. Games: 21. Goals: 2. Finals: 4.

The defender was cut by Geelong without playing a senior game and has been on the Dogs' fringes for three years.

28. Anthony Scott

Age: 26. Games: 21. Goals: 10. Finals: 1.

Mature-age recruit plucked from the Footscray VFL side, has featured in a variety of positions.

23. Laitham Vandermeer

Age: 22. Games: 22. Goals: 15. Finals: 3.

Under an injury cloud during the build-up after hamstring tightness forced him off the ground during the preliminary final.

2. Lewis Young

Age: 22. Games: 24. Goals: 1. Finals: 3.

Back-up ruckman and tall defender played the first two finals before being left out of the preliminary final side.

3. Mitch Wallis

Age: 28. Games: 157. Goals: 105. Finals: 2.

Bulldogs vice-captain this year has found himself on the fringes of the team, managing just six games. Missed the 2016 flag with a broken leg.

20. Ed Richards

Age: 22. Games: 63. Goals: 24. Finals: 2.

The speedster has been squeezed out of the Dogs' best team this year after being a regular for the previous three seasons.

Australian Associated Press